Coating
Compatible coatings can extend the life of weathered EPDM after proper priming.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Repair Nutley, NJ
Most leaking rubber roofs in Nutley can be repaired, since EPDM patches bond well when the surface is cleaned and primed properly, so the roof stays watertight for more seasons. Dial (973) 858-1824 to talk with a local roofer about the leak.
Most EPDM leaks come from a short list of problems. Seams lead the list, since older EPDM roofs were often seamed with liquid adhesive that breaks down over time. Next come punctures from foot traffic, branches or dropped tools, and flashing that tears where the membrane meets walls, curbs and pipes.
Shrinkage is a problem specific to rubber roofs. As the sheet contracts, it pulls on the flashing at walls and edges, lifts the membrane off inside corners and can tear the rubber where it bridges between the roof and the wall. Lasting repairs relieve the stretch and add fresh flashing material.
Please do not reach for a can of tar. Tar and asphalt products damage EPDM and leave a surface that proper patches cannot stick to. For now, protect the inside, avoid the roof in wet weather and write down when the leak shows up.
Rubber Roof Repair is often paired with rubber roof installation and flat roof repair, depending on the cause.
Need rubber roof repair in Nutley? Call (973) 858-1824 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
How rubber roof repair works
Here is how a roofer usually handles a rubber roof repair.
Find the leak
Seams, perimeter flashing and penetrations are checked first, since that is where most rubber roofs leak. Wet insulation under the leak is checked with a moisture meter or a small core.
Surface prep
Weathered EPDM is scrubbed with a membrane cleaner to remove dirt, chalking and oxidation. Earlier tar repairs are cut away.
Priming
A rubber primer is applied and given time to dry to the touch. Skipping primer is the most common reason patches peel.
Apply the patch
Peel-and-stick EPDM cover tape or a cured patch is cut with rounded corners, pressed down and rolled firmly with a seam roller. Corners and penetrations use flexible uncured flashing.
Reseal the seams
Failed laps are reopened, cleaned and resealed with modern seam tape. Lap sealant protects the edges.
Wall flashing
Shrunk membrane at walls and curbs is released and reflashed with new rubber. The top of the flashing is fastened and sealed.
What is included
Repairs a rubber roofer can handle
Perimeter repair
Membrane pulling from walls is released and reflashed to stop tears at the perimeter.
Lap sealing
Failed seams get a new cover strip so they stay closed.
Tear repair
Damaged rubber is covered with new membrane that extends past the damage.
Pipe boots
Damaged collars around penetrations are renewed for a tight seal.
Related service
EPDM Roof Repair Nutley, NJ
Every EPDM repair depends on the same steps, done in order. A clean, dry surface, a properly dried primer and a firmly rolled patch are what make an EPDM repair hold. Edges then get lap sealant for extra protection.
A Nutley roofer will time EPDM repairs for dry weather, because moisture ruins the bond. In an emergency, a temporary seal can stop water until conditions allow a proper patch. A proper patch should follow as soon as possible.
Related service
Rubber Roof Replacement Nutley, NJ
There comes a point where patching an EPDM roof stops being worth it. Widespread seam failure, heavy shrinkage, cracking rubber or soaked insulation are signs replacement is due. A moisture survey helps decide.
Replacement options include new EPDM or a heat-welded membrane like TPO. Recovering may be an option over one dry layer, while wet areas require removal. In Nutley, ask for both options so you can compare.
Local help
Rubber Roof Repair Near Me
Around Nutley, rubber roofing is found on additions, carports and flat roofs that have been in place for years. From Nutley to neighboring communities such as Glen Ridge, Rutherford, North Arlington and Clifton, storms and years of sun wear seams and flashing on rubber roofs, so a check after big storms is worth it.
For rubber roof repair in Nutley, NJ or nearby towns like Glen Ridge, Rutherford, North Arlington and Clifton, call (973) 858-1824 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
Roofs in this climate
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder eaves, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. Most homeowners in Nutley, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Roofers in Nutley know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about rubber roof repair
Why is my rubber roof pulling away from the wall?
Shrinkage is the usual cause. As it shrinks, it pulls on the flashing, stretches across inside corners and can tear at the wall. The fix is relieving the tension and adding new flashing.
Should I coat my EPDM roof?
Coating is an option for a sound EPDM roof. The roof must be repaired first, cleaned and primed with an EPDM-compatible primer before an acrylic or silicone coating goes on. Coatings do not fix wet insulation.
Is roof cement safe for an EPDM roof?
Asphalt-based products damage rubber roofing. They attack the membrane and make future repairs much harder. The right fix is a primed EPDM patch.
What is the right way to patch EPDM?
The process is clean, prime, patch and roll. After cleaning and priming, a peel-and-stick EPDM patch is applied and rolled. Edges are sealed with lap sealant.
How long does a rubber roof last?
Rubber roofs often last two to three decades. Thicker membranes, good seams and regular inspections push it toward the longer end. Timely repairs to seams and flashing help it get there.
More questions? Call (973) 858-1824
Related services
Rubber Roof Installation
New EPDM rubber roofs laid in wide sheets over insulation and a cover board, with primed and taped seams, so the roof stays flexible and watertight for decades.
Learn moreFlat Roof Repair
Repairs for leaking flat roofs, from punctures and seams to clogged drains and wet insulation, so the roof sheds water again without a full replacement.
Learn moreRoof Coating
A seamless coating over a sound but weathered roof, when the roof underneath is still dry and solid.
Learn moreRoof Leak Repair
Finding where water gets through the roof and sealing it at the source, before wet decking and insulation turn into rot.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a Nutley roofer about rubber roof repair
Call (973) 858-1824 to talk to a roofer serving Nutley, NJ.